Bagan optimistic

Calcutta: McDowell Mohun Bagan will be looking for the elusive win when they take on the unrelenting ONGC in an I-League match at the Kalyani Stadium on Friday.

Since the All India Football Federation (AIFF) revoked their ban, Bagan have drawn in two matches following their loss to Salgaocar. Starting from scratch, Bagan's only mission is to avoid relegation, but the results of the three outings have not helped their cause.

Under the circumstances, what will give Bagan hope will be the return of their talismanic striker Okolie Odafe, after serving three-match suspension. "Odafa's return will definitely give the team a big mental boost. He is an important player… And he will help us in our bid to make a turnaround," said Karim.

"I have always held that the team needs a win to get the confidence back. We hope to do that tomorrow," he said.

ONGC are being coached by Karim's predecessor Santosh Kashyap. And the side is playing brilliantly ' they have remained unbeaten in the last eight matches and have made it to the seventh position in the table ' under Kashyap.

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